Fat removal and nerve protection device and method

Abstract

A fat removal device includes a screen which includes passages through which fat can be extruded, to be cut or melted away from the surface of an internal organ. The device includes a blade to cut the fat or radiofrequency monopolar or bipolar electrodes to melt the fat, aspiration to remove the fat away from the screen and blade, irrigation to irrigate the screen and blade, and an electrocautery member to cauterize the capillary bed of the fat. Methods of using removing the fat layer from the surface of an internal body organ are also described.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 658,588, filed on Sep. 8, 2003; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 874,360, filed Jun. 6, 2001, which is now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,890.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for removing fatty tissue from a human body without damaging underlying nerves. [0004] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art [0005] Recent advances in cardiology, radiology, cardiothorasic vascular and neuro surgery have allowed patients suffering from various diseases of the internal organs to benefit from less invasive techniques to surgically treat their conditions. With the advent of newer techniques, however, come newer difficulties in the application of these techniques to all the qualified patients. [0006] Recent advanced techniques and devices allow for the correction of numerous defects of the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024] In accordance with a twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a fat removal and nerve protection tool comprises a first outer sheath electrode having a lumen and a distal end, the outer sheath electrode including holes at the distal end to allow fat to enter the lumen, and a second helical wireform inner rotatable electrode positioned in the lumen to rotate

Problems solved by technology

With the advent of newer techniques, however, come newer difficulties in the application of these techniques to all the qualified patients.

In all of these procedures, however, often a thick layer of fatty tissue must be removed from around the heart to expose the myocardial tissue to be treated.

The use of a scalpel to remove the fat clearly presents a level of danger to the patient's coronary arteries which is only marginally tolerable; the consequences of mishap are severe.

Prior devices exist which aspirate fat or other substances from the body of a patient, but which are not suitable for removing the fat layer from the external surface of an internal body organ.

Laparoscopes exist, but are not useful because they cannot break up fa

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